China welcomes engagement between India, Pakistan
ISLAMABAD – In a major breakthrough in bilateral relations, Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday responded to a letter of Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, reminding him that durable peace and stability in South Asia region is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
This is the first official exchange of goodwill between the two chief executives of the two arch-rival states who have fought almost four wars on the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir left over by history since partition of subcontinent in year 1947. Tensions have been high between the two countries since past few years after Indian Premier Narendra Modi took over and opened salvo against Pakistan.
This exchange follows reports of back-channel talks between the two countries which was welcomed by China. A spokesman of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Zhao Lijian, Monday said that China welcomed the recent positive interactions between Pakistan and India and said that it was ready to work with Pakistan to inject positive energy into regional peace, stability and development.
Thanking the Indian Prime Minister for his goodwill letter in which Narendra Modi had conveyed greetings to the Pakistanis on Pakistan Day, observed on March 23, Imran Khan stated that the people of Pakistan also desire peaceful, cooperative relations with all neighbours, including India.
“We are convinced that durable peace and stability in South Asia is contingent upon resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, in particular the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.”
He maintained that creation of an enabling environment is imperative for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue.
“I also take this opportunity to convey our best wishes for the people of India in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Khan wrote in the letter dated March 29, 2021.
The Prime Minister further stated that the people of Pakistan commemorate the Pakistan Day by paying tribute to the wisdom and foresight of their founding fathers in envisioning an independent, sovereign state where they could live in freedom and realise their full potential.
